On the 3rd of March the academic community lost professor Rimantas Gatautis, highly skilled professional, thought leader in research, charismatic educator, a colleague passionate about work and caring about people, a trustworthy friend.
Rimantas left us while entering into his 44th year. However, his work and achievements are of exceptional scope. With the great respect and pride, we call him a person who changed the present and created the future. He often managed to think few steps ahead of current research and education hot topics. According to his colleagues, “the charisma and energy of Rimantas did not leave the room for indifference of people he met on his path. His unceasing desire to learn, enquire and create inspired many students, colleagues and friends.”
The bright shine of Rimantas’ personality is supported by his biography facts. He was born on 26th March 1974 in Kaunas. In 1992, he became one of first graduates on Kaunas University of Technology Gymnasium. He chose Kaunas University of Technology to study for his Bachelor, Masters and Doctors degrees. Still a Master degree seeking student, in 1998 he started working at the School of Economics and Business, and in 2002 he received Doctors degree in social sciences. Full of out-of-the-box ideas, grand plans and unappeasable ambitions to fulfil them, in 2008 Rimantas became one of youngest ever full professors at Kaunas University of Technology. 2001-2007 he held a position of the vice-dean of the Faculty, and 2012-2017 was elected to the Council of the University. Since 2004 he was the director of the Electronic Business Research Centre. In recent years he chaired the doctoral committee of management field at Kaunas University, and the Council of the Faculty, he also just started to lead Digitisation research group as its principal investigator.
More than 40 implemented international and national research projects, around 120 academic publications, 7 monographies and research studies, and co-authoring of three course books prove Rimantas’ activity and unfading passion for his profession. He was a member of two acknowledged international scientific journals’ editorial boards, scientific committees of five international conferences. Rimantas improved his expertise in Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education, Information Society Development Committee under the Government of Lithuania, Lithuanian Research Council and European Commission.
The wake will start at Garliavos Jonučiai Funeral House (J. Šimkaus Street 22) on Wednesday, 7 March at 10am. The Holly Mass for the Deceased will take place on Thursday, 8 March at 8am at Garliava Holly Trinity Church (Vytauto Street 56, Garliava). The final farewell before the burrying of the Urn will take place on 8 March at 12pm.
